North

Doctor testifies in transgender woman's Human Rights case

A Human Rights Commission hearing against the N.W.T. Finance Minister has been postponed, but one witness was allowed to testify on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger is accused of discrimination

A Human Rights Commission hearing against the N.W.T. Finance Minister has been postponed, but one witness was allowed to testify on Tuesday.

Michael Miltenberger is accused of discriminating against a transgender woman during the Governor General’s visit to the Aurora College campus in Fort Smith, N.W.T., last year.

Gabrielle Landrie alleges Miltenberger rerouted David Johnston around her because she is transgender.

On Tuesday, Landrie’s doctor testified by phone at the Human Rights tribunal.

Dr. Lorne Warneke has been helping Landrie transition from male to female.

Gabrielle Landrie's doctor testified she is a transgender individual and does not seem to have any psychiatric conditions. (Photo courtesy of D. Landrie)

When questioned by Landrie, who is representing herself at the hearing, Warneke testified that she is a transgender individual and does not seem to have any psychiatric conditions.

Miltenberger’s lawyer said he is not disputing the fact that Landrie is a transgender person. He asked for any of Warneke’s notes on Landrie that reference the incident at the college.

Landrie warned that there may be some very private details in those notes but she agreed to include them as evidence at the tribunal.

The hearing was set to begin this week but due to unforeseen circumstances it has been delayed until Jan. 21. Only Warneke’s testimony was allowed.

Landrie said she’s disappointed by the delay.

"I'm not after money. I'm not after his [Miltenberger’s] job. I want my apology and it's the principle at hand that matters."

Miltenberger admits he told Landrie that the Governor General was 'spooked' by her, but he denies discriminating against her